Consider the following statements about irrigation in Punjab : 1. Intensity of irrigation is the highest among all Indian States. 2. Area under canal irrigation is the highest among all Indian States. 3. There has been severe land degradation in Punjab owing to agricultural modernization including high intensity of irrigation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Statement 1 is correct as Punjab has the highest intensity of irrigation in India, with nearly 95% of its net sown area under irrigation . Statement 2 is incorrect because Uttar Pradesh ranks first in the total area under canal irrigation, while Punjab's rank is significantly lower, often cited as 12th in specific datasets [1]. Statement 3 is correct as the Green Revolution and agricultural modernization in Punjab have led to severe land degradation. High intensity of irrigation has caused extensive waterlogging and soil salinity, particularly in the southwestern districts, while excessive groundwater extraction for tube wells has depleted aquifers. This ecological stress is a direct consequence of the intensive cropping patterns and irrigation practices adopted to sustain high yields. Therefore, only statements 1 and 3 are accurate regarding Punjab's irrigation and land status.

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Area and Sources of Irrigation (area in thousand hectares) > p. 36